Ball-caster



(NoMoaeI.)

I'. S. RBGHTSTEINER.

BALL GASTBR.

No 600,172. Patented Mar. 8, 1898.

1NR/ENTER:

WWNESEEE:

. MM@- ATTDHNEY:

UNITEDA STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK S. RECHTSTEINER, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

BALL-CASTER.

SPECIFICATION, forming part of Letters Patent No. 600,172, dated March8, 1898.

Application filed J'unerll, 1897.

scription of the invention, such as will enstill another modification.

able others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of reference Vmarked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

This invention relates to improvements in furniture-casters.

The object of the invention is to provide an easy-moving caster and onethat will not stick or refuse to move at any time or in any directionwith comparatively little elfort.

To this end the invention comprises a ballbearing caster having thestructural features hereinafter fully described in connection with theaccompanying drawings, of which- Figure lis a sectional view showing mycaster applied to an ordinary wooden tableleg. Fig. 2 is a similar Viewshowing a modiiication. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing Fig. 4 is asectional elevation showing my improvement adaptedv to an attachmentwith a metal leg. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a caster constructed inaccordance with my invention somewhat modified and adapted to anattachment with a metal or wooden leg.

A, B, and O designate legs of any article of furniture. ReferringtoFigs. l, 2, and 3, c, d', and a designate semicircular cavities formedin the lower ends of saidlegs. In Figs. l and 2 these cavities have eacha series of small cavities or pockets b and b'.

Referringto Fig. 1, O designates a concave plate or cup secured withinthe cavity a and having a series of ball-pockets Cl, that iit into thecavities b and are adapted to receive balls e, that aiford bearings fora large caster-ball D, which is inclosed in the concave plate C'. Thelower edge of said plate is provided with an annular shoulder f, whichabuts an annular rabbet formed in the end of the leg, and the lower edgeof said concave plate terminates in an annular iiange f ,that restsagainst the lower horizontal surface of the'leg.

Serial No. 640,643. (No model.)

g designates a shifting plate or ring that surrounds the lower portionof the large ball D and maintains it in an operative position. Thisplate or ring gis supported on an annular washer h, through which theball D also protrudes. The washer 72, is fixed to the lower end of theleg. The screws that secure it also pass through the flange f of theconcave plate C. The diameter of the shifting plate g is essentiallysmaller than the y space in which it is mounted, so as to give it roomto freely move in when the ball D comes in contact with. the edgethereof. This moving space for said plate g is indicated by 1l andi. Theobject of said plate is to provide a support for the ball D, that willnot interfere with a free movement of said ball and that will preventthe ball from dropping out of its seat when the leg is raised. As shownin Fig. 2, the cup O is omitted. A series of nails c', provided withheads c', are driven -into the small cavities h and provide seats forthe balls. In this application of my invention the shifting plate g isthe same as shown in Fig. 1, is provided with a similar seat in the endof the leg, and moving spaces i and i". A plate h is secured to thelower end of the leg and supports the shifting plate g.

The construction shown in Fig. 3 is similar to that shown in Fig. l,with the exception of the small balls, which are omitted, the shiftingplate g being the leading characteristic in all the views. The cup orconcave aords a direct bearing for the large caster-ball D and isconstructed large enough to allow some space around said caster-ball.

In Fig. 4 the cup or concave has an integral tubular extension C2, whichis provided with interior screw-threads for securing the metal leg E.The said cup is similar in other respects, with the exception of theconstruction of its lower end, which terminates in an annular verticalplane and is provided with interior screw-threads for securing thewasher h, that supports the shifting plate g.

In Fig. 5 the cup or concave is displaced by four downwardly-curved armslo, the Vinner sides of which have pockets similar to those in the largeoups for the reception of the small balls. The shiftin g plate ginoloses the large ball and is itself maintained in position as beforedescribed. These shifting plates, as

IOO

hereinbefore stated, are the same throughout and have the same functionto perform, and there is no variation in the manner of their support.

In Fig. 4L I have shown a thumb-screw e", that penetrates an opening inthe cup. This screw may be turned against the caster-ball to lock itagainst any movement when it is not desired to move the article offurniture. The inner end of said screw is flat and has a piece ofelastic material or felt applied to it to prevent any indentations beingmade in the ball. Two or more of the casters maybe fitted with thesescrews.

It is of course understood that the cups or concaves may be varied intheir shape without departing from theinvention. For example, they maybe made in rectangular form or round, as shown in the drawings. The

large ball may be constructed of Various materials-for example, ofglassvood, metal, &c. Having described my invention, I claim- 1. In acaster for furniture-legs, the combination with a leg, having a cavityin its lower end, and a caster-ball seated in said cavity, of a shiftingplate inclosing said ball below the horizontal axis thereof, and meansfor loosely supporting said plate in a shifting position, substantiallyas and for the purposes specified.

2. In a furniture-caster, the combination with a leg having a concavityin its lower end, a cup fitting within said concavity and provided withan annular shoulder or fiange adjacent to its lower edge for securing itto the leg, a ball seated within said cup, of a shifting plate to retainsaid ball in its place, and means for supporting said shifting plate inan operative position, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK S. RECHTSTEINER.

Vitnesses:

FRANK E. RECHTSTEINER, R. J. MCCARTY.

